The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-10-27
BELLEVUE, La. THURSDAY OCTOBER n, 1887.
recital as l told it to DR.. Bertram and.
later, to the magistrate.

recital as l told it to DR.. Bertram and.
later, to the magistrate.
You know my passion for natural
history. Well, scarcely week passes
that l do not go into the country
botanizing. That day l went to
Glacnevin, where, as YOU know, the
marshy meadows are rich in curious
plants, infusoria, and diatoms. Twas re-
turning, and was almost in Dublin with
my box full of rare specimens, on which
l expected to make a report that would
astonish the Botanical Society, when
saw little girl, certainly not more
than five or six years old, who was all
alone. crying as If her little heart
would break. approached her, but
at sight OF me she redoubled her cries.
| could see that the little one was lost,
and that she did not know where to 90,
SO spoke to her kindly, and, by dint
OF promising her unlimited bonbons,
got her to tell me that her name was
Lizzie. and that she lived near Beres-
ford Place in Lower Abbey street 1
took her hand, and we soon started of,
talking together like old friends. She
was beautiful child. fresh and rosy,
with great, candid eyes and fair hair.
which was cut short over her eyes and
fell in golden ringlets about her
shoulders. She trotted bravely along,
her soft, little hand holding my great,
ruddy paw confidingly. AS we walked
| she told me remarkable tales, in which
figured big, black horse, a little
knife. a doll, and number of people
| did not know.
Lizzie was afraid she would be scold-
ed when she arrived home, but she was
not, and II was received with trans
ports by her mother, who was half dis
tracted. Never was gratitude expressed
SO heartily and pleasantly. Who was
/, where did live, how did I happen to
find her, and thousand like questions
were showered upon me.
20, Mr.. Furniss," said the mother,
'you are the savior of my child. How
can we express our gratitude7 We are
not rich, but such debt can not be
paid in gold. How happy my husband
will be to repeat my thanks to you.
He is still at his Office, but will you do
us great kindness. will you honor our
humble board tomorrow l shall have
a savant here like yourself, and you
two will enjoy each others company, 1
am sure. And my husband will be so
happy to have YOU"
thanked her for the invitation, and
promised to be on hand.
At the appointed hour was shown
into their modest parlor, and you may
be sure the husbands gratitude was no
less warmly expressed than the wife's.
And little Lizzie threw her arms around
my neck. and showered on me the in
nOcent caresses of Il happy child.
seemed. indeed, to be one of the family.
The dinner was a merry one, the
savant seemed to be an interesting
man-in brief, + passed an excellent
evening.
The air had been heavy the whole
day, and in the evening a storm came
on. Thunder-claps succeeded one an
j; other without interruptions; the rair
fell in torrents. Whether it was thu
effect of the storm, of the suffocatine
heat. or of the wine had drunk, fel
a strange melancholy. / could no
breathe comfortably. was about t.
set out for home, however, for it wa
late and my house was at some dis
} tance; but they insisted that should
stay. 1t woald be foolish to expose my
self to such tempest, when 1 was no
feeling well; the mother begged mi
with such good grace that l fell
forced to remain and pass the night
in that hospitable house. They cere
moniously conducted me to my room
and there wished me good night Ire
member, even, that Lizzie having fallel
asleep in her fathers arms, kissed he
little cheek, paled by sleep, and hel
dimpled little arms.
Left alone, began to undress slowl,
and wandering about the room, as ont
! always does when one sleeps in
strange place. l felt as if 1 shoul'
smother in the close atmosphere o
the room. Before getting in bed.
wanted to inhale little of the outsid
air. and in spite of the roaring storm,
tried to open the window. 1t was
false window.
"Well, well!" l exclaimed. littl
, surprised.
thought l would remove the chin
, ney-screen; it was false chimney.
rushed to the door-it was locked! Fea
seized me. and, holding my breath,
listened. The house was quiet; al
5 seemed to be asleep. Then / inspecte'
/ the room carefully, straining my ear
, for the least sound. On the floor, nea
the bed. noticed spots; it was blood
[ dried and blackened blood! shud
. dered, and a cold sweat stood out o
3 my forehead, Bloodl Why shoul,
J there be blood thereP And saw tina
: whole sea of blood must have beel